Damaged roof (T6 Ocean)

[CoboCali]

So, after nearly 10 years of trouble-free ownership you’d like to think I was low risk for numpty Cali behaviour. Unfortunately thats not the case.
I had the roof up, and was putting the Cali away in my garage, engine was running and I had it in Drive while I put the roof down…. Except that at the last moment I realised the upper bed was still up by about 12" … I reached up to pull it down… foot slipped off the brake…. Cali moved forward and hit the garage eaves.
Result is both front corners of roof are bent back, rubber roof trim pulled off, roof fabric pulled out of the front edge. Roof will raise and power, but I haven't risked fully lowering it of course. I have a body shop friend looking at the aluminium roof later today to see about pulling it back into shape as a first step.

I’m beyond distraught of course, and nobody needs to tell me it was a stupid thing to do…. But any advice please on next steps and possible repairers? Location is Cheshire.
I'm thinking the most sensible thing is just to bite the bullet, claim on insurance and get it fully sorted.

 

[colintfcolintf]

I can’t help, but I do feel your pain!

 

[Alexlex85]

Firstly, sorry to hear this and im sure you feel bad enough.
Secondly, Kudos for sharing as many would rather take it to the grave.
Thirdly, you should always try to look at the positives in any shituation. The roof is till operational and hopefully the rest of the scissor mechanism.

Definitely have your bodyshop mate see if it can be brought back into shape.
Start building a parts list and share it with us. Perhaps something good could come out of it.
I would also look for any california ocean being broken for parts. perhaps you can source a complete cheap roof?

 

[cpaharley2008]

Ouch, that's painful to read! I'd definitely get your bodyshop mate to have a look first - might be surprised what can be pulled back into shape before going down the insurance route.

 

[Alexlex85]

I recently drove off with the hook up cable still attached. Luckily apart from leaving my mother inlaw without electricity and a broken hook up cable plug, no other damage.
Once I drove through a deep ford in a hurry to bring a girl home, hydro-locking the engine.
My dad lost £100k on crypto.

List is endless, this will be a distant memory and definitely worth having a laugh over in the future.

 

[Alexlex85]

Bellows genuine in grey ebay link

 

[Alexlex85]

pop top/roof
someone needs to confirm if this is an ocean or beach one. or are they both the same?

 

[Alexlex85]

a link to a california being broken for parts. worth emailing seller for complete parts required.

 

[CoboCali]

thanks everyone for your replies and ideas. body shop friend and I had a better look this evening with the roof fully up and we can now see the hinge mechanisms have some bend in them also. His recommendation was to go via insurance.

 

[WelshGas]

thanks everyone for your replies and ideas. body shop friend and I had a better look this evening with the roof fully up and we can now see the hinge mechanisms have some bend in them also. His recommendation was to go via insurance.

I would suggest getting a price for a new roof + scissor mechanism from VW/ Body Shop BUT also contact Kernow Transporters in Cornwall for a quote . They are known on the Forum for replacing Bellows and fixing problems with the Roof Hydraulics BUT they also fit complete California Roofs including hydraulics etc to bespoke conversions.

Volkswagen California repairs. Audi RS transfer box repair

Volkswagen California code 1000 repair Volkswagen California Roof Bellows 061S Audi RS servicing Audi RS coding Audi RS Transfer Box Repair

www.kernowtransporters.co.uk

Then make a decision.

 

[GollyOlly]

thanks everyone for your replies and ideas. body shop friend and I had a better look this evening with the roof fully up and we can now see the hinge mechanisms have some bend in them also. His recommendation was to go via insurance.

Really sorry to hear your story. We've all been there though doing things we shouldn't have done only to regret it later, so you're not alone. I agree with your friend....go through your insurance but also go through a top-notch body shop and do the repair the right way.

 

[sidepod]

This is very odd given VWs obsession with safety warnings. You can’t even raise or lower the roof without it asking you if you’ve closed the bed panel/have enough room etc, the system refusing to move until you confirm. How did they not include a software interlock with the gearbox so the vehicle can’t move with the roof up?

 

[WelshGas]

This is very odd given VWs obsession with safety warnings. You can’t even raise or lower the roof without it asking you if you’ve closed the bed panel/have enough room etc, the system refusing to move until you confirm. How did they not include a software interlock with the gearbox so the vehicle can’t move with the roof up?

And if one of the sensors fail so roof is unlocked but lowered or for some reason you have to manually lower it and you use Velcro Straps provided, then the vehicle cannot be driven because of the interlock.

 

[pchmlk]

This is very odd given VWs obsession with safety warnings. You can’t even raise or lower the roof without it asking you if you’ve closed the bed panel/have enough room etc, the system refusing to move until you confirm. How did they not include a software interlock with the gearbox so the vehicle can’t move with the roof up?

Not got a DSH but assume the car was binging away whilst he was doing this and chose to ignore it.

Sympathies OP, that’s horrible.

 

[sidepod]

Not got a DSH but assume the car was binging away whilst he was doing this and chose to ignore it.

Sympathies OP, that’s horrible.

Ouch !

 

[Up10]

On the plus side:-

• You are OK, except for a dented pride
• It happened at home, imagine how much worse it would be if you were on holiday!
• It can and will be repaired
• No one was injured (except your dinked pride!)

Thank you for sharing and please let us know how you get on.


PS How's the garage?

 

[CoboCali]

PS How's the garage?

Garage roof is not too bad; smashed the UPVC fascia, snapped 2 wooden batons, cracked or knocked off around 15-20 roof tiles. Thankfully the Cali didn't hit the brick or the lintel directly. Cali now with Insurer's recommended bodyshop for assessment.

 

[blackburncampervan]

So, after nearly 10 years of trouble-free ownership you’d like to think I was low risk for numpty Cali behaviour. Unfortunately thats not the case.
I had the roof up, and was putting the Cali away in my garage, engine was running and I had it in Drive while I put the roof down…. Except that at the last moment I realised the upper bed was still up by about 12" … I reached up to pull it down… foot slipped off the brake…. Cali moved forward and hit the garage eaves.
Result is both front corners of roof are bent back, rubber roof trim pulled off, roof fabric pulled out of the front edge. Roof will raise and power, but I haven't risked fully lowering it of course. I have a body shop friend looking at the aluminium roof later today to see about pulling it back into shape as a first step.

I’m beyond distraught of course, and nobody needs to tell me it was a stupid thing to do…. But any advice please on next steps and possible repairers? Location is Cheshire.
I'm thinking the most sensible thing is just to bite the bullet, claim on insurance and get it fully sorted.

View attachment 145150

Sorry to hear about your unfortunate experience and I sympathise so I'll share my advice and if it helps them I'm happy.
Yes get your mate to repair the roof if he can, (they are quite soft so fairly easy to manipulate).
You definitely need a new bellow, no denying that but on the plus side, as you're replacing the bellows you'll be able to upgrade to the newer version that has a much larger window on the front that opens completely. the old bellows are no good so they can just be pulled out now, just remember to unclip the wire at the back of the bellows. We pay between £700 and £800 for new bellows and they cay be fitted with the roof still attached to the vehicle. We usually remove the roof when fitting new bellows but we have space and extra bodies but it can be done without removing the roof.
The scissor hinges can also be removed and straightened on a bench if they're not too badly damaged, not too sure on price of hinges as we've never had to replace any as yet.

Kind regards

 

[CoboCali]

Sorry to hear about your unfortunate experience and I sympathise so I'll share my advice and if it helps them I'm happy.

...much appreciate your insight, thanks for sharing info.

 

[Alexlex85]

Sorry to hear about your unfortunate experience and I sympathise so I'll share my advice and if it helps them I'm happy.
Yes get your mate to repair the roof if he can, (they are quite soft so fairly easy to manipulate).
You definitely need a new bellow, no denying that but on the plus side, as you're replacing the bellows you'll be able to upgrade to the newer version that has a much larger window on the front that opens completely. the old bellows are no good so they can just be pulled out now, just remember to unclip the wire at the back of the bellows. We pay between £700 and £800 for new bellows and they cay be fitted with the roof still attached to the vehicle. We usually remove the roof when fitting new bellows but we have space and extra bodies but it can be done without removing the roof.
The scissor hinges can also be removed and straightened on a bench if they're not too badly damaged, not too sure on price of hinges as we've never had to replace any as yet.

Kind regards

Out of curiosity as a regular diy'er at home. how do you go about replacing the bellows without removing the roof.

 

[WelshGas]

Out of curiosity as a regular diy'er at home. how do you go about replacing the bellows without removing the roof.

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[blackburncampervan]

Out of curiosity as a regular diy'er at home. how do you go about replacing the bellows without removing the roof.

Hi Alex, I always start by lifting the roof about half to 3 quarters of the way up so that the bellows are still a bit baggy as you will need to be able to hold on to it to pull it out.
Once the roof is in this position I always start at the bottom corner at the rear on passenger side as there is more space because you don't have the awning in the way. Although the seals are only rubber and only push fit, it is still difficult to get that first bit out. I use a heat gun to heat up the metal around the rubber to expand it a bit and then get hold of some of the rubber seal and start to peel it out, i find that that some good quality latex gloves work well for this part of the job. Once the first bit has been removed, the rest comes out very easily so no need for heat gun all the way round (just that first corner). Don't forget to unclip your wire for the interior roof lights.

Hope this helps